It is that time of the year when birds from faraway lands come to the city looking for food and warmer climes. Arriving from countries as far as Finland and neighbouring Pakistan, cruising over the Himalayas, these winged beauties find solace in the region as they try to beat the harsh winter of their native land. And as they touch down and make our city their temporary home, bird watchers point their lenses to capture these beauties.The number of migratory birds coming to Raipur and nearby lakes may have seen a decline this season, but few that have come here have arrived Pakistan and North Russia. One of the species is drawing all the attention of birdwatchers in the city. “Around 150 red-crested pochards have arrived here from Sindh Province of Pakistan and some have also flocked in the Central India region from Leh-Ladakh. These diving ducks visit places like Raipur, Nagpur and nearby areas in the region where there is water body, these birds stay till March and April and then return back to where they've come from. Lakes near Naya Raipur, Jashpur water bodies,” informs bird watcher and ornithologist, Dr Bireshwar Dutta, who also adds, “These ducks are winter migrants and they transit mostly in the Indian subcontinent but some also take long flights to Africa in late February. The male has an orange head and white flanks and the female is pale brown in colour.”Habitat disturbance and human settlements in the city have changed the migratory pattern of many birds but some bird watchers have spottedcertain exotic beauties that have arrived from far off lands. “I have sighted a plum insect eater known as Shankar (Blue Throat) near Jashpurwhich has arrived from the Eurasian region,” says avid bird watcher, Rajeev Sethi. He goes on to add, “A new flock of exotic birds like Osprey and Pallied harrier has been spotted at Budda Talab. These birds mostly arrive from America and the Middle East.”

Stay updated with all the Latest Raipur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.